Gift Ideas For The Difficult

TimBear

Rubynewshoes wrote: »

Why not buy a nice photo frame and put either a picture of yourself and boyfriend in it or boyfriend and mum? TK Maxx do some really nice ones that are good value for money but don't look 'cheap' IYSWIM

I was about to say exactly the same, as I've just done exactly that for my MIL! I've just bought a nice silver frame in TK Maxx which holds four photographs and was either £6.99 or £9.99 (I can't remember as I looked at two!).

We're going to put pictures in of her grandson which she'll love.

moonpenny

mr_knight wrote: »

My MIL is so difficult to buy for. She has 4 daughters and one DIL. I try and be thoughtful with pressies so try and avoid getting her a 5th pair of slippers and a 5th bunch of flowers

The photo thing goes down really well. I have done various takes on this, photo book, photo clock, and one of these.

I've done clothes, DVD's, books with no sucess. I'm trying Jewellery this year so we shall see how that goes.

I like the chutney idea though that is nice and personal.

Good luck

Oh NO!!!! The Photo "thing" pressie rears its head again. :eek::eek::eek:
Or as I would call it - "You havn't got a life or intereststs, only the family" pressie!

Sorry if I am being harsh, and I know I don't speak for everyone but why is it when you reach a certain age that is all anyone can think of giving?

For instance, I have a S & DIL. I wonder how they would feel if I gave them a photo of me at Christmas? Think not!!!! :rotfl:

Back to the question, What about a nice pair of Leather Gloves, Mag subscription, or hobby related gifts.

TimBear

I see where you're coming from moonpenny and not everyone is the same but I know my MIL will LOVE the gift we're giving her.

She hasn't seen her grandson in a few months due to trouble travelling and lack of funds, so to have some recent photos of him will be gratefully received, of this I'm certain.

nearlyrich

I am difficult to buy for I am 50 and I know my kids have problems as does my OH thinking of things to get me. I have dropped hints for this Xmas, Amazon vouchers (books and music), bits for my hobbies, (Photography and Genealogy) I know these are a bit specific. One lovely gift I had for my birthday was a restaurant gift card, OH & I had a great weekday night out (we found a half price meal voucher online too). I have had mag subscriptions which are ongoing gifts, you get another pressie each month for a year I liked Red the best. A nice purse is always welcome,earrings???

moonpenny

TimBear wrote: »

I see where you're coming from moonpenny and not everyone is the same but I know my MIL will LOVE the gift we're giving her.

She hasn't seen her grandson in a few months due to trouble travelling and lack of funds, so to have some recent photos of him will be gratefully received, of this I'm certain.

I absolutley agree TimBear - that is the perfect present in your case., and for anyone else who would like Photos as gifts.

It's just that, too many times this is the only idea people come up with and it is always for the older members of the family.

mr_knight

moonpenny wrote: »

:eek:

Oh NO!!!! The Photo "thing" pressie rears its head again. :eek::eek::eek:
Or as I would call it - You havn't got a life or intereststs, only the family" pressie!
Can you imagine if all 4 daughters did the same - where on earth would all the photos go?

Sorry if I am being harsh, and I know I don't speak for everyone but why is it when you reach a certain age that is all anyone can think of giving?

For instance, I have a S & DIL. I wonder how they would feel if I gave them a photo of me at Christmas? Think not!!!!:rotfl:

Back to the question, What about a nice pair of Leather Gloves, Mag subscription, or hobby related gifts.

Harsh moonpeny? Flipping heck I only needed to be told once

Actually the photoclock has photos of all her grandchildren and great grandchildren and she loves it. We live away so one year we bought her a digital photoframe and I got pics of all her family and all her holiday photo's and again she loved it.

She has no hobbies, she does nothing other than go to friends. She doesn't like to try cooking recipies, she doesn't sew or knit. One year I bought her a subscription to some family tree thing, never used. She doesn't read books or magazines. She watches films but only those on telly. Clothes I buy never fit. Last year OH bought a DVD set to go with the clock and all MIL and FIL did was moan about it. Trust me I've tried everything, I'm a very thoughtful pressie buyer.

As for imagine if all 4 daughters did the same then yes it would be dull but seeing as every mothers day she ends up with 4 bunches of flowers or plants and I am the only one who tries to think about what she would like/need/want so I won't buy her those.

My mum on the other hand hates photo type gifts so she doesn't get them. A nice bunch of flowers delivered is much more her cup of tea or a beauty salon voucher.

I think every person has different tastes and that is what makes life a bit more interesting. And some people are just impossible to buy for

Lady_strange

I am having difficulty thinking of what to get my mum for christmas, she doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, only likes cadburys chocolate, doesn't wear make up, rarely wears perfume.

She shares hobbies with my dad, such as military vehicles, and all things wwII, but she and my dad both buy the things they really want. and the only other thing she is into is walking the dogs (2 insane springer spaniels) I really am at a loss, as I have a really tight budget of less than £20 for her present. I have already decided I am making my folks some chutney as part of their presents, but don't know what else to get her

Savvybunny2009

Lol Moonpenny you made me laugh, they probably wouldn't want a photo of you but you probably would like a photo of them. We are doing some photo presents of us and dd for family because they don't see us as much as they would like and I know that they do want pictures so it is ideal. Having said that I probably would think it odd if they gave me a picture of them for Christmas.

I think the rule is parents always like pitures of their kids and grandchildren, it doesn't often quite work the same the other way round.

I find it often difficult to buy for older members of the family as they usually have everything that they want, it's not very Christmassy to get them practical to get them such gifts such as kitchen roll, they don't drink, they can't eat chocolate. Christmas hampers tend to be a one off thing and not as personal as they could be, not everyone 'gets' them (only my view), and how many ties and scarves can you get away with buying. I think personally as I get older my memories and pictures will be much more special than gift sets and chocolates.

You could buy a nice plant perhaps, do they have any hobbies?

moonpenny

Sorry! mr_knight, didn't realise iI had done a double wammy!:rotfl:

Don't know if this would help anyone but I do this with friends.
Ask them to write a list of things they would like - small things - anything! Then you can pick one or several things from the list and you know it's what they will like.

It's a bit strange writng what you want, (a bit like asking for things!) but if you both do it and exchange lists it feels ok. You also still get a "surprise" as you don't know what has been picked.

willow_loulou

does she dink hot drinks? How a about a muug with hotchoc sachets a mini whisk and marshmallows - or tea bags or a pack of filter coffee and some of those little biccys that you get in restraunts. You could make a budget hamper - steam puds and custard type things they are uber cheap in asda but really really yum. Or subscription to the local paper - my mum would LOVE that!